Barney 2016. Let’s make it happen.

I love Barney!

Yeah. He’s a lot smarter and wittier than the average congresscritter. He’s my favorite house member, to the extent I have a favorite.

Frank did absolutely right.  I don’t know why people are acting like these protesters make 5 seconds worth of sense.  They need to be told how offensive they are instead of encouraged to believe that they are rational thinking human beings.  Wrapping it all up in patriotic protest is even more ridiculous.  I say hit the mute button on nonsense and fear.

Go Barney, go Barney!

That’s exactly how it must be done. All hail Barney Frank!

The strategic argument is simple. Any attempt to meaningfully debate the absurdities of these “Tea Party” protesters will grant them un-earned legitimacy, and confuse the issues. Mockery, on the other hand, is exactly what they deserve, and is entertaining TV besides.

There comes a point where communication is useless, and the only response is, “Bullshit”.

Well it’s about damn time.

The first amendment writes that they’re allowed to say whatever they like, not that we have to treat it with a shred of credibility.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

As much as I love seeing Barney Frank calling BS on these idiots, it’s even more important to see MSM news outlets doing the same thing when it comes to people who don’t know what the heck they’re talking about (or, better yet, not wasting airtime on them except to mock them).

Hate to be the skunk at the garden party, but I’d be more impressed if he’d asked Hank Paulson what planet HE spent most of his time on.

YES!!!! 
*does victory dance*

I just wish he were my congresscritter.

Steve LaBonne, granted, but you have to start small. ANY sign of a brain from our political and/or media classes should be encouraged.

The next time a non sequitur is bandied about at a meaningless town hall forum completed unregulated to the sausage-legislation being ground out between lobbyists and their captive congresspersons, I’d like to see Barney or whomever do a variation of this speech….

Otter: But you can’t hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn’t we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn’t this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg - isn’t this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen!

.... before throwing down the microphone in a hail of feedback and exiting stage right.

Wow, I think I must have itching swelling brain syndrome this morning. Substitute “completely unrelated” for “completed unregulated,” and come to think of it I like “torrent” rather than “hail.”

I’m glad that someone finally stood up to these wackos, but I’m worried that this will only feed their persecution complex.  Pretty soon they’ll be whining any crying to big daddy Fox News about the big meanie who insulted them, if they’re not doing it already.  I mean, look what happened when Miss California didn’t get her shiny crown.  This will only make them feel more validated, because Satan/Nazis/Democrats disagree with them.

I’m worried that this will only feed their persecution complex

With or without someone calling BS on them, they’ve always indulged themselves in their phony-baloney victimhood. Given that, I prefer Frank’s approach.

She’s a LaRouchie; I’m certain of it.  She looks too young and too upper middle class to be a regular teabagger.

I’m worried that this will only feed their persecution complex

Catgirl, there is nothing in their world, life, or reality that does not feed their persecution complex. There is no way we could add to that.

I absolutely adore Barney Frank.  Srs fangirl here.

<blockquote>...but I’m worried that this will only feed their persecution complex.</i>

Well, I suppose every silver cloud has a black lining.  Look, we can’t actually win with these assholes, so we might as well have a good time.  Calling idiots idiots will at least lower the stress level.  We aren’t trying to convert them.  We’re trying to show the great independent middle that we have a few stones and that we’re not pathetic.  Attaboy, Barney!

But, ummmm, I thought gay guys were spineless sissies.  Guess not.

We aren’t trying to convert them.  We’re trying to show the great independent middle that we have a few stones and that we’re not pathetic.

This.

We gotta choose our battles.

Gotta love Barney. 

I don’t agree with him on everything, but he’s really one of the only congresscritters on our side who has the guts to call it like it is and not pull punches with idiots.

On the one hand you have President Obama who is looking to expand healthcare to the entire nation.
On the other hand you have Hitler who tried to expand eugenics and war across a contenent.
Healthcare…. War…. Healthcare….  War….

Yep, totally the same thing.

IN CRAZY-LAND!

If I were to answer a question with a question it would have been, “Ma’am, did Jesus heal only the rich and insured lepers?”

Why can’t the rest of the Dems learn from Barney Frank and OWN these town hall protestors?

Well, partly because in this case, the woman stood in line, asked a question, and let Frank respond.  In a lot of cases, the “protesters” have done nothing but shout slogans and physically intimidate people, and that’s a scenario where witty repartée has somewhat less of an impact, not least because no one can hear it and they’re also busy trying not to get punched.

I wonder if anyone has considered the merits of playing Green Day’s “American Idiot” everytime one of these know-nothings decide to speak….

Lyrics really fit them to a T…..

I think I’m in love. Does that make me a “fag hag”?

Yeah, Barney! I musta watched that clip a half-dozen times already. Gives me heart.

As do the 60 members of the House who made it clear they won’t vote for a bill without a public option.

Yesterday alone, FDL and partners raised nearly $100,000 for progressive members of Congress who agree to draw a line in the sand over a public plan:

http://tinyurl.com/lbkdp9

You, too, can offer carrots to these progressive politicians at ACT Blue:

http://tinyurl.com/lae6tj

Personally, I’m more motivated by ice cream, but to each their own.

Aren’t lines in the sand easily eradicated?

I wonder if anyone has considered the merits of playing Green Day’s “American Idiot” everytime one of these know-nothings decide to speak…

YES.  I love that song, and it’s so very appropriate.

Barney Frank is The Awesomeness.  I wish my congresscritters had that kind of spine.

Hate to be the skunk at the garden party, but I’d be more impressed if he’d asked Hank Paulson what planet HE spent most of his time on.

^ this

I think Frank’s as much a neoliberal as most Democrats and Republicans in Congress, but I tip my hat to him today.

My favorite parts of the video:

1. The woman’s look of bewilderment that she got called out on her stupidity.  You can almost hear her thinking “This isn’t what they told me would happen.  They told me he would get all flustered. What went wrong?”

2.  The crowd’s reaction.  They LOVED it.

I know how this is going to sound pretty sad, but Barney Frank is on my list of reasons why I’m stoked about my impending move to MA.

Did Frank actually get through to someone? ... I actually heard a newsperson on CNN this morning opining that maybe too many people were getting their political knowledge standing in line at McDonalds. When CNN starts questioning the teabaggers, things are looking up.

CNN headline: “Frank likens woman to ‘dining room table’.” No mention of the reason why.

Ah, the media.

The more video there is of people saying things like Frank did to crowd cheers, the more the media will decide that it is the way the wind is blowing and report things spun that way. That’s why it is critical for congressfolk to actually create those soundbites.

There’s a longer version of this video at Politico, which gives more context for her question and his response; she was talking about Hitler’s apparent contention that some lives are not worth living, and he was responding to that at more length than in the Larry King video.

I actually heard a newsperson on CNN this morning opining that maybe too many people were getting their political knowledge standing in line at McDonalds.

A writer of a letter to the editor of my local paper said that he/she was discussing the issue with people standing in line at the Post Office, with everyone agreeing that they didn’t want health care run the way the Post Office was run (actual comment: “No postal delivery on Saturday? What if that meant no health care on Saturday?”).

This woman is actually a Democrat. She is a member of the fringe Lyndon LaRouche Democrats. She even talks about their crazy belief that the country has 30% real unemployment.  You can see the whole video here: http://www.necn.com/Boston/NECN-Extra/2009/08/18/Rep-Frank-condemns-those/1250643022.html .  Maybe we should understand that Dems use the Nazi references too before we resort to childish name calling that only serves to make us feel better about our insignificant lives.

Barney Frank absolutely kicks ass.

No postal delivery on Saturday? What if that meant no health care on Saturday?

Uh, did the writer letter explain to them that there is postal delivery on Saturday?

disco_max, it’s all good. The LaRoucheites are pretty much a coalition partner with the Tea Baggers now. Dissing a LaRoucheite is pretty much like dissing a Tea Bagger. From my point of view, it’s the same thing, and accomplishes the same end.

This woman is actually a Democrat

Lyndon LaRouche is left-wing in a very broad sense, but I and most politically informed people (liberal or conservative) wouldn’t call him a Democrat. It’s as absurd as calling Alex Jones a Republican.

Perhaps, though, you have evidence that this woman is a registered Democrat. Or perhaps the Democratic Party on your planet has a much bigger tent than the one on this planet.

The LaRoucheites are pretty much a coalition partner with the Tea Baggers

The Coalition of the Suckers. Don’t forget the Reptillian Hunters!

Lyndon LaRouche is a Derange-o-crat.

This woman is actually a Democrat. She is a member of the fringe Lyndon LaRouche Democrats.

Saw horses and quarter horses can both be saddled, but only one will get you anywhere.

Maybe we should understand that Dems use the Nazi references too before we resort to childish name calling…

I love the smell of false equivalency in the afternoon.  For the record I never called Dubya a Nazi.  Just a Sith.

...that only serves to make us feel better about our insignificant lives.

I feel pretty freakin’ special, myself.

Disco_max, when you compare a President’s plan to Hitler’s plan, you aren’t interested in starting a rational discussion, Democrat or Republican, you are fear mongering.  As its been said before, to answer her question directly would have given her methods legitimacy.  As a woman, I don’t take responsibility for the actions of all women and nor do I believe the actions of define me.  As a Democrat, I certainly don’t feel responsible for this woman making crazy Hitler references at a town hall meeting, and neither did Barney Frank.  Doesn’t matter if she’s a tea bagger or a laroucheite- this sort of behavior needs to be called out as unacceptable.  I am happy to see a Democrat with a spine.  And by the way, why is it okay for Republicans to say what they think but Democrats have to be all pleasant and partisan?

Just a Sith

Darth Idious.

I feel pretty freakin’ special myself

That’s the midichlorians talking.

Thank you, disco_max, for your concern.

“Darth Idious.”

Ha!

I’ve called the Right in this country the Reichwing for some time.  And I still feel it fits them well.

But there is one thing that separated Hitler’s lunacy from their’s:  The real Nazi’s had spiffy uniforms, while our wingnuts haven’t quite got that part worked out yet…

Not only that, MikeEss, Hitler had an entire mountain hideout, hidden with a bank of artificial fog created by his followers using special machines. The Republicans have nothing on that.

“The Republicans have nothing on that.”

I’m not sure about that.  We still don’t really know everything about the CheneyBunker yet…

I’m not that familiar with the Larouche movement, and after reading the wikipedia entry on their views on health care I’m confused as to why they are opposing obama’s reform. the entry pretty much read that they want to ban HMO’s but think Obama is Hitler. can anyone point me to a better article to explain the reasoning behind that or is there no way to explain the crazy?

I’m not that familiar with the Larouche movement, and after reading the wikipedia entry on their views on health care I’m confused as to why they are opposing obama’s reform.

There’s no coherent reasoning at work with these folks. They’re conspiracy theory nuts on a grand scale, who think that the British royal family, the Jews, the Nazis, and the HMOs, the U.N., and Blackazoid (among others) are all engaged in a co-ordinated, long-lived master plan that includes what might be called eugenic cleansing to reduce the population.

It’s premium-grade hi-test crazy.

Maybe we should understand that Dems use the Nazi references too before we resort to childish name calling…

I love the smell of false equivalency in the afternoon.

Me, I would’ve thought I’d get used to it sooner or later, stop noticing it like you do after a few minutes in the monkey house, but it just keeps smelling worse and worse.

Considering that most of the people who insist on belching that particular stench into the air are either wingnuts playing “They did it first” or Libertarians who simply must prove that they’re above it all by maintaining that the Left is as bad as the Right, would I be wasting my time to point out that the very few “Bush=Hitler” references I ever saw came after he started a pointless war, turned torture into official policy, and started subverting the Constitution left, right and center?

Lyndon LaRouche is unfortunately an ill man with many talents, charismatic leadership among them. He is not consistent in his delusions, but that didn’t stop L. Ron Hubbard either. Cult members are expected to embrace the new delusions and forget the old. In case that proves difficult for any particular individual, there’s an authoritarian hierarchy to enforce obedience.

Cult members are expected to embrace the new delusions and forget the old. In case that proves difficult for any particular individual, there’s an authoritarian hierarchy to enforce obedience

Funny, I was just reading this article on Landmark Seminars—basically est funneled through the Human Resources Culture. Creepy stuff.

Hannity will probably have this nutbag on his show tonight painting as a victim of Barney Frank’s savage public assault on her First Amendment rights.

Poor little lamb.

“Hannity will probably have this nutbag on his show tonight painting as a victim of Barney Frank’s savage public assault on her First Amendment rights.”

Well, why not!  The way Frank treated that woman is straight out of Nazi Germany!  [/teabagger]

...

Wow, the LaRouche folks are here in Denmark too, under the name of the Schiller Institute. I usually refer to them as the mad Evangelicals of politics, they truly are batshit and beyond reasoning with. Funny to see them accusing other people of being Nazis, since they believe a secret conspiracy of Jews rules the world from London.

Larouchies are nuts.  Pure and simple.  There are quite a few of them in the Boston area, where they used to pass out deranged pamphlets about the British royal family being behind the international heroin trade and the joys of using “beam weapons” on the Russians.  A couple of them actually managed to get on statewide ballots in Illinois in the 1980s by shady means (all their candidates had vaguely familiar whitebread names), and I swear the one I saw on Nightline had been lobotomized.

Barney was right to smack this one down.  They’re about as Democrat as Mitt Romney, and batshit crazy to boot.

She’s a LaRouchie; I’m certain of it.

I saw a couple at my local Post Office a couple of months ago. They were trying to get signatures on a petition to arrest the Queen of England or some goddamn thing. I started laughing before they could get a word out.

I live in Illinois, which had some serious LaRouchie trouble in the early ‘80s. A couple of them stole the Democratic nominations for lieutanant governor and secretary of state, in effect trashing the entire Democratic statewide slate. (To be fair, the Democrats brought this on themselves. They slated the daughter of a bitter opponent of then-Chicago mayor Harold Washington, with no apparant thought to how this would make African-American voters feel.)

I saw a couple at my local Post Office a couple of months ago. They were trying to get signatures on a petition to arrest the Queen of England or some goddamn thing.

Christ yes, I would sign that thing twice. How could anyone resist?

<bold>I saw a couple at my local Post Office a couple of months ago. They were trying to get signatures on a petition to arrest the Queen of England or some goddamn thing.</bold>

Christ yes, I would sign that thing twice. How could anyone resist?

Wonder how’d they react if I blasted the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” at them with a boombox?

So, Chris Matthews had this to say in response to the video: “Is this how Democrats should respond to their critics?” Critics? I just really don’t know how to react to him anymore.

On the other hand, Barney Frank rocks. Also, funny: “revert to my ethnic heritage”! I just love how he made a not-so-subtle reference to this being unbelievably offensive to a Jewish person AND made an awesome Jewish joke in the same sentence. Because, really - we do respond to questions with questions.

Is it bad that I think we should have a ringer go in for our side?  They can ask the ridiculous question and have the congressperson do it Frank-style and tell the person how vile their rhetoric is?

I bet you could just steal snippets of what Glenny-poo and Rushy-poo say verbatim, and go in there and let them call your “craziness” out.

Just an idea.  I like to scheme, and would have no problem going in and being a ringer if it meant a public option.  A friend of mine just passed out in her apartment of hypothermia and almost died, but decided to just get into the bathtub to warm up instead of going to the hospital because she lacked health insurance.  If going and pretending to be one of these crazy people will grow some dems cajones, sign me up for the next bus to crazytown.

So, Chris Matthews had this to say in response to the video: “Is this how Democrats should respond to their critics?

Oh, Tweety…

Your fair-n-balanced journalism job requires that any crackpot who makes it in front of the sacred cameras gets to be taken seriously. A politician like Barney Frank has different standards.

Christ yes, I would sign that thing twice. How could anyone resist?

Hey!  that’s my Head of State you’re talking about!  Have you ever seen me calling to arrest *your* head of State?

I mean, apart from for war crimes and crimes against humanity - um, never mind.